Hello everyone,

I hope this blog posting finds you doing well...this entry is so late because I have been on the road. In fact, right now, I am sitting in my car outside of Panera Bread in Tuscaloosa using their free wireless connection. I did buy some tea though so I suppose I shouldn't feel that bad.

Last week, I went to Birmingham because guess what - I will be conducting a parole hearing for a person who is currently incarcerated. I got the assignment last Tuesday and on May 7, I will be her representative to the parole board. In Alabama, defendants do not have a right to be present at their own parole hearings and the Southern Center for Human Rights will take their parole hearings with the underlying expectation that a third year law student is available and willing to take their case. In this capacity, I am responsible for putting together packets outlining my clients' honors earned in prison and her home plan (a plan to transition back into society), and presenting all this information to the parole board. I am very excited about this!!! Apparently, the Alabama Board listens to you for a few minutes, listens to the state, and makes a decision right then and there...no pressure though. I am super excited!!!

Right now, I am in Tuscaloosa, Alabama because one of our clients on death row had an evidentiary hearing yesterday and today in support of his Rule 32 Petition. Based on my limited understanding, a Rule 32 petition is the procedural mechanism where a defendant may challenge certain aspects of his trial. Another way of putting it may be that a Rule 32 petition is a state habeas corpus petition, though that's not entirely accurate. Our hearing presented some ineffective assistance of counsel claims and some mitigation evidence claims. It was very hard to hear the latter because our clients' upbringing has been painfully difficult!!!! The judge still has some oustanding evidence to review so we won't get a ruling for at least 90 days, but I am so glad I was able to get this experience. It was very informative and I learned a lot!!!

Anyway, I'm heading back to Atlanta tomorrow - I would love to hear from you all if you have any questions about the Southern Center or if you have any general law school questions. I'll talk to you later this week!